Holly MatkinCairo, GA – Cairo Police Department (CPD) Master Patrol Officer Clarence “CJ” Williams died in the line of duty on Saturday after suffering a medical emergency during a foot chase.
The incident occurred near Robinson Avenue and 10th Street on Jan. 28, WTXL reported.
Investigators said the 23-year-old officer had responded to the scene to assist a Grady County Sheriff’s Office deputy with a traffic stop, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
The suspect allegedly bailed out of the vehicle and took off on foot during the stop, triggering a foot pursuit.
Officer Williams suffered a medical emergency during the ensuing chase and collapsed, the Officer Down Memorial Page reported.
Attempts to revive him were not successful.
Officer Williams’ exact cause of death was not immediately released.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigations and the CPD are handling the ongoing investigation into the incident.
The CPD announced the loss of the young officer one day later.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of one of Cairo’s very own sons and a member of our family here at Cairo PD,” the department said in a Facebook post. “Master Patrol Officer Clarence ‘CJ’ Williams passed away while on-duty yesterday afternoon, serving the community he so loved.”
He served the CPD for more than two years.
“He joined the department in 2020 and quickly gained the respect and love of all that met him,” the CPD said. “Please keep his family in your prayers as we do the same.”
Officer Williams leaves behind his fiancé, Bryna Crisco, as well as her daughter and many other friends and family members, WTXL reported.
“He loved me just the way I was,” Crisco said. “He loved my daughter, and he’s definitely going to be missed.”
Officer Williams’ aunt, Deborah Green, said her nephew died while working a job he loved, WTXL reported.
“He loved his community he loved the people in his community he showed respect for all of the people in the community and we’re going to miss him, but CJ died doing what he loved to do,” Green said.
Officer Williams will be laid to rest on Feb. 4, according to his obituary.
🔹 Blessed Are The Peacemakers 🔹
Master Patrol Officer Clarence "CJ" Williams
Cairo Police Department, Georgia
EOW: Saturday, January 28, 2023#EnoughIsEnough #OfficerDown #EOW #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/f9ABuGnN3W
— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) January 30, 2023
🔵🔵 OFFICER DOWN 🔴🔴
Officer CJ Williams, Cairo, GA Police Department died in the line of duty during a foot pursuit.
EOW: 1/28/2023 🕊️
Rest easy, brother. pic.twitter.com/XRCgN9jcUp
— WarMedic (@FoxholeMedicine) January 30, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Cairo Police Department Master Patrol Officer Clarence “CJ” Williams, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
